Spatial Variability in Mercury Cycling and Relevant Biogeochemical Controls in the Florida Everglades

Spatial patterns in mercury cycling and bioaccumulation at the landscape level in the Everglades were investigated by collecting and analyzing multimedia samples for mercury species and biogeochemical characteristics from 228 randomly located stations. Higher total mercury (THg) in environmental com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2009-06, Vol.43 (12), p.4361-4366
Main Authors: Liu, Guangliang, Cai, Yong, Mao, Yuxiang, Scheidt, Daniel, Kalla, Peter, Richards, Jennifer, Scinto, Leonard J, Tachiev, Georgio, Roelant, David, Appleby, Charlie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bioaccumulation
Biogeochemistry
Cyprinodontiformes - metabolism
Ecosystem
Environmental Processes
Florida
Mercury
Mercury - chemistry
Mercury - metabolism
Mercury Compounds - chemistry
Mercury Compounds - metabolism
Seasons
Surface water
Water - chemistry
Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
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Summary:Spatial patterns in mercury cycling and bioaccumulation at the landscape level in the Everglades were investigated by collecting and analyzing multimedia samples for mercury species and biogeochemical characteristics from 228 randomly located stations. Higher total mercury (THg) in environmental compartments (surface water, soil, flocculent detrital material (floc), and periphyton) generally occurred in the northern and central Everglades, but higher THg in water and periphyton in the Everglades National Park was an exception. Multiple biogeochemical characteristics, such as surface water dissolved organic matter (DOCSW), pH, chloride, and compositional properties of solid compartments (soil and floc), were identified to be important factors controlling THg distribution. Methylmercury (MeHg) was also higher in the northern Everglades for water, soil, and floc, but not for periphyton. Higher mosquitofish THg and bioaccumulation factor were observed in the central and southern Everglades, partially in accordance with periphyton MeHg distribution, but not in the “hot spot” areas of water, soil, or floc MeHg. The discrepancy in mercury bioaccumulation and mercury distribution in environmental compartments suggests that in addition to MeHg production, biogeochemical controls that make MeHg available to aquatic organisms, such as DOCSW and compositional properties of soil and floc, are important in mercury bioaccumulation.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es803665c